The court heard she had been found to hold over £40,000 in undeclared accounts. Although £20,000 was accepted as belonging to her mother, benefit is not paid when someone holds over £16,000 in savings.

She received £6,915.89 in Jobseekers Allowance and Council Tax Benefit, which she was not entitled to between November 2009 and September 2011. The full amount has been repaid. She was fined £450 and ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge plus £100 costs.

This was a joint prosecution by the Department for Work and Pensions and Blaby District Council.

Councilor John Hudson, finance, efficiency and assets portfolio holder at the Council, said:

“We are committed to ensuring that everyone who is entitled to benefits receives them. However, we will take action against anyone found to have deliberately withheld information which is relevant to their claim and will continue to work closely with our partner organisations to ensure the full level of any fraud is brought before the courts.”

Benefit cheats in Blaby district can be reported online at www.blaby.gov.uk/fraud or by calling 0116 272 7733. All calls are confidential and callers can remain anonymous.